Kennedy Names 5 New Members to CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel

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3 hrs ago

Above: HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on Sept. 4, 2025. Image copyright: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

story last updated 3 hrs ago

The Spin

Republican narrative

Kennedy's complete overhaul of ACIP was a long-necessary correction to restore public trust in vaccine recommendations. The previous committee operated as a rubber stamp, never rejecting a vaccine even when products were later withdrawn for safety reasons. Fresh blood will bring independence from the pharmaceutical industry's influence, which has compromised vaccine oversight for decades.

Daily Wire

Democratic narrative

There are serious concerns that Kennedy's hand-picked panel lacks the necessary expertise to make decisions affecting all children in the country. The new appointees haven't been properly vetted and don't possess the areas of expertise traditionally required for such critical public health decisions. This dramatic reshaping threatens to make childhood vaccines harder to access.

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Editor's Note

This story currently has limited reporting from Right sources. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our coverage as additional perspectives become available.